Political, military leaders condemn gun attack on interior minister

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi “strongly condemned” the gun attack on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday and called for an immediate report into the incident by the Punjab chief of police.

He also inquired after the minister on telephone and prayed for his recovery.

Condemning the firing incident on the federal minister, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed best wishes for his early recovery.

Ahsan Iqbal got wounded in an apparent assassination attempt while returning from Narowal after attending a corner meeting.

The minister got injured due to gunshots fired by an assailant. He was immediately transported to district headquarters hospital Narowal for medical treatment.

The incident took place while he was leaving after attending a meeting at MPA Rana Manan’s residence in Kanjrur town of Narowal.

Read More: Ahsan Iqbal injured in Narowal shooting incident

President Mamnoon Hussain said difference of opinion must not be expressed through violence.

Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, “Strongly condemn the assassination attempt on my friend Ahsan Iqbal… Just spoke to him and he is in high spirits, MashaAllah.”

“Those who indulged in this heinous act will be brought to justice,” he continued. “PMLN will not be browbeaten into submission… Prayers for quick recovery!!”

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the incident and prayed for early recovery of Ahsan.

“Armed attack on the minister is an open challenge to the state. Those involved in the firing should be taken to task,” he said.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the incident.

PTI Spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said PTI condemned the attack on the interior minister and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits behind this incident.

Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah said the attack had risen question on the security situation. He said the incident should be thoroughly investigated.

Governor Sindh Mohammad Zubair said the cowardice attack could not scare the government. It was a conspiracy to sabotage the peace, he added.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi called it a tragic incident and prayed for Iqbal’s early recovery.